YouTube Sponsorship Rates for Gaming Channels
By the YTCalculators Research Team · Last updated: June 2026
$30 Niche CPM · 2026 Benchmarks
Niche CPM
$30
Brand Types
Game publishers, gaming peripherals, energy drinks, VPN services, gaming chairs, PC components, game subscription services, mobile games
Why Gaming Has a $30 CPM
Gaming audiences are large and highly engaged, making them attractive for volume-based campaigns. While CPM is lower than professional niches, high view counts at this tier can produce substantial absolute rates. Mobile game sponsors in particular have large creator marketing budgets.
Rates by Subscriber Count
Global audience, average engagement, 30-second integration. Niche: Gaming ($30 CPM).
| Subscribers | Conservative | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $2 | $3 |
| 5,000 | $9 | $11 |
| 10,000 | $33 | $41 |
| 50,000 | $120 | $150 |
| 100,000 | $331 | $414 |
| 500,000 | $1.3k | $1.6k |
| 1M | $3.1k | $3.8k |
Rates assume global audience mix, average engagement, 2 videos/month. US-heavy audiences add ~80%.
Rates by Placement Type
At 100,000 subscribers, Gaming niche, global audience.
| Placement | Conservative | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts Mention | $99 | $124 |
| Livestream Mention | $166 | $207 |
| 30-Second Integration | $331 | $414 |
| 60-Second Integration | $464 | $580 |
| Dedicated Video | $662 | $828 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What brands sponsor gaming YouTube channels?
Gaming channels attract: game publishers (direct game sponsorships), PC component brands (Corsair, Razer, Logitech), gaming chairs (Secretlab, DXRacer), energy drinks (G FUEL, Monster Gaming), VPN services, game subscription services (Xbox Game Pass, EA Play), and mobile game apps. Mobile games in particular have very large creator marketing budgets.
Why is gaming CPM lower than tech or finance?
Gaming audiences skew younger with lower purchasing power on average, which reduces brand CPMs compared to professional niches. However, gaming channels often have very high view counts, which can compensate. A gaming channel with 500,000 subscribers can still earn $1,000–$3,000 per sponsorship despite the lower CPM.
Are mobile game sponsorships worth accepting for gaming channels?
Mobile game sponsorships are widely available and pay consistently — typically $20–$50 CPM. The tradeoff is audience trust: frequent mobile game ads can frustrate audiences if the games are low-quality. Be selective about games you genuinely play or recommend. Avoid predatory mobile games (gacha, pay-to-win) to protect your reputation.
How do I get sponsored by major game publishers like Sony or Activision?
Major publishers work through influencer agencies and PR firms. Build your media kit and reach out to publisher PR teams via LinkedIn or email. At 50,000+ subscribers you become competitive for early access and sponsored content deals. Agencies like Loaded, Gamefluencer, and Niche Gamer specifically work in gaming creator sponsorships.
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